Preston should not get too down about their defeat to Hull at the KC Stadium.

Hull are fresh down from the Premier League, awash with parachute money and it was always going to be a very difficult game there.

What PNE have to realise is that they are not going to be playing teams with Hull’s wealth and quality every week.

Looking at their squad on Saturday, Tom Huddlestone was only an unused substitute. I’m sure he is the type of the player who clubs in the Premier League will be after, yet Hull could afford to leave him sitting on the bench.

Sometimes you have to be realistic and realise that there will be tough days in among the good times.

This was one of those days and is a reality of stepping up a division after promotion.

Now we have reached the first international break of the season, this is a good time to reflect on how North End have started life in the higher division.

Personally, I think they have done okay. Five points from five games and two wins in the League Cup is a steady enough start.

They have played some big sides in this first few weeks, Middlesbrough, Ipswich and Hull.

If you finish above Boro and Hull in May, you will go up automatically or at the very least be in the play-offs.

There is a long way to go and Preston have a platform to build on when the fixtures resume next month.

Hopefully before Monday evening’s transfer deadline, there will be some incoming business done at Deepdale to help make North End even more competitive in the Championship.

The injury to Jermaine Beckford makes the need for another striker a necessity.